A private member’s bill that would ensure only MHKs vote to elect the Chief Minister won unanimous support in the House of Keys at its second reading.
Michael MHK Alfred Cannan told the Keys that his bill was a simple change in legislation that would ‘move the balance of power entirely to the publicly-elected chamber’.
‘It restores the primacy of the House of Keys.’ he said.
His bill was seconded by Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer who described it as a ‘small but very important constitutional change’.
Bill Malarkey (Douglas South) said it was a ‘step in the right direction’. He said people are astonished that MLCs as well as MHKs elect the Chief Minister currently.
Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas said that there was no other parliament in the world where ‘a quarter of people who choose the Chief Minister are unelected’.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne (Rushen) said the bill was ‘timely’.
But Chief Minister Allan Bell warned about unintended consequences. ‘The road to constitutional hell is paved with good intentions,’ he told MHKs.
He said the principle behind the bill was sound and something which was difficult to argue with.
But he said there is already a review underway into the future shape of Tynwald, including the role of the Legislative Council which could make this bill redundant or complicate matters. He said it could report back with a recommendation for a unicameral chamber, which he personally supported.
But in the meantime, a working arrangement had to be found between the two arms of parliament, the Keys and LegCo. ‘Bear that in mind before you rush headlong into constitutional changes which seem to be popular on the surface. Just think what the consequences might be,’ he urged members.
Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) said this was ‘not about being popular, it’s about what’s right.’
Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson (Rushen) expressed concern about the provision in Mr Cannan’s bill that a two thirds majority would be required for any motion of no confidence in a Chief Minister. Mr Watterson said that would make the Chief Minister ‘bullet proof’.
LibVan leader Kate Beecroft said the bill provided for ‘greater democracy’. She agreed that the majority required for a vote of no confidence was a high hurdle and suggested it should be a two thirds majority of members sitting at any one time.
Mr Cannan insisted a two thirds majority was required. ‘It’s a serious vote that is likely to involve at least one Minister,’ he said. He received unanimous support for his bill, with 23 MHKs voting in favour.